American Nephrology Nurses AssociationHonors Norma Gomez for Outstanding Service

PITMAN, NJ  The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) has awarded Norma Gomez, MBA, MSN, RN, CNN, with the associations highest honor, the Outstanding Contribution to ANNA Award. The award recognizes one ANNA member each year whose contributions have had a significant impact on the association. Gomez is a nephrology nurse consultant in White Pine, TN.

Gomez received her award, which includes a lifetime ANNA membership and a commemorative plaque, during ANNAs 42nd National Symposium in Boston, MA, in March. Gomez was recognized for her dedication to nephrology nursing, exceptional leadership skills, and passion for professional development and volunteerism.

Norma has contributed her knowledge, leadership, energy, and thoughtfulness to ANNA in ways too numerous to count. This award shows our appreciation for her truly amazing commitment to ANNA and the specialty of nephrology nursing, said ANNA President Rowena Elliott, PhD, RN, CNN, BC, CNE.

An ANNA member for more than 35 years, Gomez has served ANNA in a variety of volunteer and leadership roles at the local and national level, including as president of her local chapter many times, most recently in 2010-2011, and as national secretary (1983-1984) and national treasurer (2005-2007) on the ANNA Board of Directors.

Gomez has also contributed her time and talents to chair numerous ANNA committees, task forces, and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including the Career Ladder Committee (1989) and the Clinical Practice Committee (1997-1998). During her tenure as chair of the Recruitment and Retention Task Force (2002-2003), ANNAs membership hit record-breaking numbers. Her professional focus on hemodialysis administration proved an asset when she led the Hemodialysis SIG (2003-2004) and the Administrative Special Interest Group (2004-2005).

Gomez is a lifetime learner and has devoted countless hours to writing, editing, and reviewing many ANNA publications. She served as editor of the Nephrology Nursing Certification Review Guide, 4th Edition, as well as co-author and editor of the section on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in the Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing, 5th Edition. Most recently, Gomez was editor of the Nephrology Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 7th Edition.

In addition, Gomez dedicates her time and expertise to educating nephrology nurses. She encouraged nephrology nurses in Jacksonville, FL, to charter the First Coast Chapter of ANNA, developed a continuing education program for Florida nurses, and spearheaded a state-wide vascular access care program that helped decrease catheter use in patients with chronic kidney disease.

She also gives back to the nephrology community by volunteering for the ESRD Network 7 Hurricane Task Force and Medical Review Board, receiving the Network 7 Community Services Award and Susan V. McGovern Memorial Award for her efforts. Gomez has a personal and professional passion for helping others and also shares her years of experience in disaster preparedness by representing ANNA and nephrology nursing as chairperson of the Kidney Communitys Emergency Response (KCER) Coordination of Staff and Volunteers.

Gomezs career path has seen her as a staff nurse, educator, manager, researcher and currently, consultant. A proponent of professional development and career advancement, Gomez has developed quality improvement programs, staff training/development programs, and home training programs. She received the Service Excellence Core Value Award from DaVita for her contributions.

ANNA is a professional nursing association with over 11,000 members. Its mission is to advance nephrology nursing practice and positively influence outcomes for individuals with kidney disease through advocacy, scholarship, and excellence.